On Monday Mr. T. R. Davison, in a paper read
before the Royal Society of British Architects, made several suggestions for the improvement of London. All the city railways ought to disappear underground ; Trafalgar Square would never be fine till the Nelson Column was removed; the National Gallery was dominated by one of the most absurd pepper-box domes n London; the opportunity had been lost of making a fine, entrance to the Mall. [This reminds us of Matthew Arnold who ridiculed the pepper-pots of the National Gallery, and said that a "Truss Factory" (now no more) was the most striking object of the " finest site in Europe.''] Mr. Davison went on to propose a new road-bridge at Charing Cross, a general opening up where Northumberland Avenue joins the Embankment, and an opening up in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's. London Bridge had been spoilt by widening, and Waterloo Bridge was too narrow and in a had structural state. But if London Bridge has been spoilt, let us hope that Rennie 's magnificent bridge—perhaps the finest bridge in Europe—will be left narrow. Why could we not have a bridge like "Old London Bridge," with houses on it? The shops and "airy flats" above would pay for the bridge, and the effect would be delightful. A gap or two, as in the old bridge, would prevent a gale blowing the whole structure out to sea. As Cromwell said, " these may be carnal thoughts," but seriously we cannot see what is the objection.
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